Tokyo Substitute

Dreams about Tokyo come most nights. Not the tourist version—the real thing, moving back, waking up to food that actually tastes like something and existing without turning every moment into content. That’s supposed to happen this year if the money works out. For now there’s Crunchyroll, cycling through anime like it’s going to help. Switch Girl, Nobunaga Concerto, No Dropping Out. They’re good but they’re also constant proof of what they’re not. The food especially. Fresh fish the way it is there. You know it won’t fix anything but you can’t stop thinking about it.

Japan Festival is in Berlin this weekend—Urania, near Wittenbergplatz. Not Tokyo, but I’ll take a few hours somewhere else. Manga, games, sushi, kimonos, cosplay. Twenty-six euros for a ticket, less if you’re still a student. It’s what I’ve got for now.